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r 2 Shets-Sheet'l. A. H; HOWARD; DUPLICATE WHIST TRAY.

(No Model.)

No. 548,255. Patented 0921;. 22, 1895.

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DUPLIUATE WRIST TRAY.

No. 548,255 PatentedOct. 22, 1895.

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STAT-ES PATENT ALBERT H. HOWARD, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO IHLING BROS. & EVERARD, OF SAME PLACE.

DU PLlCATE-WHIST TRAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 548,255, dated October 22, 1895.

Application filed June 5, 1895. Serial No. 551,764. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT H. HOWARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalama-.

zoo and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Duplicate-Whist Trays, of .which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in duplicate-whist apparatus. It relates particularly to improvements in flexible trays or mats for use in playing the game. As ordinarily constructed these mats have been provided with pockets in which the cards were inserted in playing the game to be held for the duplicate play. The methods of the game are clearly described and pointed out in the United States patent issued to Paine and Sebring dated November 3, 1891, No. 462,448.

The objects of this invention are to provide a flexible tray or mat for use in the game which shall hold the cards securely and will lie perfectly flat upon the table when in use and which shall be very convenient in use. I accomplish these objects of my invention by the devices shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a top plan view of a mat or tray embodying my invention with one corner laid fiat and the others folded over the hands of cards, showing the method of holding them. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same after it has been closed together with the cards inside. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same laid fiat upon the table, the position of the cards being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a view of a modified corner of the same; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the-back of the tray or mat after it has been folded, in which an attached rubber band is used for securing the same together.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A represents a square mat, of leather or any other suitable flexible material. The usual appropriate indicators are marked at the center of the same. On each corner is a suitable fastener, which engages a suitable head toward the center of the mat. Little loops E, of leather or other suitable material,

are placed on the mat to each end of the hands of cards 0. These loops are attached one end to the folding portion and one end to the flat portion, so that when the hands are foldedin the loops engage over the ends of the same and retain them in position. The cards 0 are placed as indicated and the corners are folded over the same, engaging the hands of cards quite closely, the fasteners B holding the same securely. This is of advantage in playing the game, because all that is necessary is to lay down the hands of cards and close the fastener. After the fastener is closed the two opposite sides of the mat are 'folded over onto the middle portion, and the cards are such a distance apart that the inner side of the hands is outside of the ends of the adjacent hands, leaving a flexible portion of the mat between, so that the same can be folded together readily. To accomplish this folding properly the mat should be large enough so that the hands of cards occupy a square, the sides of which are longer than the length of a card, plus twice its width. In so folding together the material of the mat will fold close upon the ends of the hands at one side and the folding of the mat puts stress upon the remaining portion, and it shuts together somewhat like a pocket-book and is held by the little strap D and keeper D, at the back preferably. When constructed and folded in this manner, the ends of the elongated pocket can be again folded, still further reducing its size.

In Fig. 3 a perspective view of the mat is shown laid flat ready for use of the players.

In Fig. 4 I show a different means of fastening the corners over the hands of cards, using a little strap B and keeper B. When this is used, the tray should be folded the same as before. Instead of using the strap D and the keeper D to hold the entire tray folded, a rubber band D" may be secured to the back of the tray to accomplish the purpose, or, for that matter, the rubber band may-be used independently to slip over the same to hold it, although it will be found to be always convenient to have the band attached. The mat, after it has been folded from the sides, can also be folded again, making the package very compact and consequently still more convenient for transportation. It will be noted in this construction that in playing the duplicate game, when it is desired to use the tray for that purpose, it lies out flat over a considerable surface on the card-table, and being constructed of soft flexible material holds the cards very well and permits of their being laid upon it in play, as is customary in that game. When the hand is finished and it is desired to lay the mat to one side, the mat is folded, as indicated, and then it can be laid away without danger of any part of the tray Wearing out or giving away, and it is much more convenient to use this tray than it is to use any tray with rubber bands or pockets for retaining the hands of cards in place; and a further object of this tray is that the cards are always protected when the tray is not in use, and when the tray is in use it lies perfectly fiat to accommodate the players.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In duplicate whist apparatus, a mat, for use in playing the game and for holding the cards, consisting of a square of flexible material with fasteners, B, at the corners and toward the center thereof to fold the corners of the same over the hands of cards and fasten them there, the square so formed being of such size that the sides thereof can be folded upon the central portion and each other to hold the cards securely in place; and

a band or strap to place around the cards to retain them and the mats in the folded position, as specified.

2. In duplicate whist apparatus, a mat for use in playing the game and for holding the cards, consisting of a square of flexible material, the corners of which are adapted to fold over the hands of cards, with fasteners, B, for retaining the corners over the hands, the cards in place on the tray being so situated that the hands at the sides can be folded over the middle portion so that the folds in the trays shall fasten the cards securely to retain them in place, as specified.

3. In duplicate whist apparatus, a mat for use in playing the game and for holding the cards, consisting of a square of flexible material, the corners of which are adapted; to fold over the hands of cards, with fasteners, 13, for retaining thecorners over the hands of cards to hold them in place; straps E,connected to the main portion and the folding portion of said mat at each end of the hands of cards to engage over the ends of the cards when the corner of the tray is folded over the same, as specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two wit- 

